Lecture 3B: Measurement Validity

Question 1

What is measurement validity?

Answer 1

The extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure, and to do so accurately.

Examples include a ruler measuring length and a thermometer measuring temperature.

Question 2

List the types of measurement validity.

Answer 2

• Face validity
• Content validity
• Concurrent validity
• Construct validity

Question 3

What is face validity?

Answer 3

Indicates that the instrument appears to measure what it is supposed to through direct observation

• Assessed after design
• Subjective

Usually established through direct observation.

Question 4

What is content validity?

Answer 4

The extent to which the measurement incorporates the domain of the phenomenon under study.

• Assessed during planning
• Subjective

Question 5

What is concurrent validity?

Answer 5

To test an instrument against a ‘gold standard’ for measuring the same variable.

Question 6

What is construct validity?

Answer 6

Ability of an instrument to measure an abstract concept (construct).

• E.g. Quality of life

Question 7

Can an instrument be reliable without being valid?

Answer 7

Yes.

Question 8

Can an instrument be valid without being reliable?

Answer 8

No.

Question 9

What form of measurement validity is assessed by a panel of experts examining a proposed measurement scale for health status?

Answer 9

Content validity.

Question 10

What form of measurement validity is demonstrated when comparing scores from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and MMSE?

Answer 10

Concurrent validity.